The First Steps

It was with a lump in my throat that I waved goodbye to Pieter and Sureta and walked off, alone, to start the long road to Maine. When I signed yhe initial register, I was thru-hiker number 1043 for the year. I was excited, but also real nervous and slightly overwhelmed by the sheer scale of it all.

The 8 mile approach trail went by quickly, and having set off around 11:30 I reached the official start of the AT around 15:00. From there it was a rainy afternoon walk to the first shelter I stayed in, which was already quite full when I arrived.

Day 2 had lovely sunny weather, although despite the glorious hiking I felt pretty homesick – really small and far from everything. An early camp, some reading and befriending one ‘Buffalo Joe’ cheered me up though.

Today (day 3), Joe and I took a morning walk to Neel Gap, where we’re taking the rest of the day off for recovery. I’m generally feeling in good shape, but after two 16 mile days, and another 7 miles this morning, I can tell my body needs a bit of a rest. I expect to be averaging 20 miles plus within a week or two.

The route is great, with exquisite views. And I keep feeling like I’m walking through the set of Moonrise Kingdom.

Good idea – I’ll do a pack writeup in a week or so at my next town stop. When I started it was 29lb, food and water included. I have way too much food though – suspect my base weight’s around 14lb or so.

Well done Linsen – we are walking with you in thought. In life we see a horizon, advance towards it only to find another horizon and then another. What would we do if we reached the end? Perhaps there is no end. Perhaps there is only now – the glorious, wondrous, magical now which will get you walking effortlessly through every day.

Lieb has been tracking your spot on an almost leafless trail. It is so good to see the trees covered in leaves with the beautiful views framed by foliage. I cant believe I am seeing you ‘in’ the photographs that I have looked at in the books on the AT. The start of the approach at the Amicalola Falls is awe-inspiring. I sincerely hope you see a bear much, much further away than the puffadder that appeared in our braai-area yesterday!

It is very exciting. I followed you every ‘Spot track position’ along the way. I could work out where you slept at night and even found photographs of it. The same with the night at Neels Gap. Please keep the Spot tracker on – it is really great being able to share your journey in that way. And a journey of self-discovery and spiritual awakening it is indeed. Experience every moment and every emotion of it as fully as you can.

Yes! That’s what it reminded me of! I was looking at all the pictures and I knew I’d seen that scenery somewhere, but I didn’t quite make the connection with Moonrise Kingdom until you mentioned it at the end. And you’re right – it does look very much like it, which is to say, fantastically beautiful.

Linsen, it looks amazing, and right now I’m vacillating rapidly between awe and envy. I’ll email soon :-)

I have done hikes as young teen with my parents across Ceres/Tulbach mountains, and while in High School with a group we did the Outeniqua trail. what I o recall is going over one and another peak and yet another. Backpack heavy. feet warming, tired, sweat, water, chocolates, mountain water. Endless to reach the top, and then finally glorious to see the views from up there. Weather was important to keep spirits, stamina and willpower at its peak. Later from the top… Then sometimes tough to take the trip down valleys, knowing you’re heading for a camp somewhere, to rest, but also knowing we still have days of doing more of the same. The end was the real joy… WE did it! Quite a high, I remember.
It’s long ago…
Dear Linsen, and not in anyway close to your scale of doing things in life, and I feel enormously proud of you, reading your daily updates, your honesty, your incredible spirit. I honor you in this. Know that I would hang flags for you – flags symbolizing gratitude for life in all its glory every moment, and hope for every next step you will take.
Just one step at a time… Your feet will get you there!

A step, a mile a day at a time will get you there:) Fantastic times ahead, enjoy. We there with you when the grass is golden and the wind talks in the trees. We all watching your eppic journey from afar, the Adie’s.